Full-Body Scanners To Be Used At Belfast International Airport

Controversial body scanners have been introduced at Belfast International Airport.

The non-invasive scanners will start to be used alongside existing security processes at the airport from September 8, in response to new regulations by the Department for Transport.

Belfast International Airport said the technology could detect a wide range of threats.

The European Union previously expressed concerns over the X-ray machines' safety risks.

They take nude, mannequin-style images of passengers who pass through them, on which items that should be further checked out are highlighted so staff can carry out further security checks.

But the airport said the equipment safeguards privacy, is safe for passengers and meets the latest DfT requirements for enhanced levels of aviation security.

It creates a diagram, not an image of the person being scanned, and diagrams are automatically deleted after the scanning process.

Passengers will either be randomly selected for scanning or checked upon activation of the normal security tests.

John Doran, managing director of Belfast International Airport, said: "Airport security is of paramount importance and we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of the millions of passengers who use Belfast International Airport every year.

"The technology employed by the scanner we are rolling out is designed in such a way that it maintains the aviation security in line with the latest government requirements whilst also maintaining the privacy of the passenger.

"We will be providing travellers with explanatory leaflets containing information on the scanner and the background to its introduction."

(NE)